Tabgha and The Church of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.

Saturday morning 20th Dec.'08
This was the dining room at the King's Soloman Hotel where we had our breakfast and dinner for the next three days. Tables near the windows overlook the Sea of Galilee and we had a wonderful and peaceful start to the day.

We journeyed into Tabgha, to the site where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-44). The site is also known as the Church of the Heptapegon and the Church of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The site is marked by the byzantine mosaic art and the rock was where the loaves and fishes were laid before the miracle was performed.

In the church compound there were quite a variety of colorful vegetation even though it was winter. The bougainvillas gave off a brilliant red while the cactus was huge.

Jesus Boat Ride and Yardenit

20/12/08
We took a boat ride in a traditional wooden boat which is also called the Jesus Boat on the Sea of Galilee. We were three countries together in the boat when the boat captain raised the flags as we sang our National Anthems one at a time. The sea was calm of of course and Bernard didn't have the chance to walk on water like Jesus did some two thousand years ago LOL. Instead, the boys were contented with the wind blowing through their jackets.

Here we see the shores of Galilee from the boat.

We took a drive to the traditional Baptismal site. This is not the original site where John the Baptist baptised Jesus . The reason being that the original site was in foreign territory further up the Jordan River.
We all renewed our baptismal promises together with Bishop James and touched the waters off the Jordan River and blessed ourselves with it.

I witnessed quite a number of people dressed in white immersing themselves in the waters here .... liken the practise to reliving baptism. It was freezing cold here you know :-)

Capernaum

20/12/08
We toured Capernaum where Jesus made his home and began his preaching in the synagogue (Mark 1:21-28). Where the holy site is, there is also a church built over it and we saw the original site of stones and rocks in an area which has a glass covering over the hole in the church.
Here we also saw the traditional house of St. Peter which was discovered together with a group of houses beneathe the reamains of an old Byzantine church.

The two pictures below show an olive press and an olive mill. Both these stone equipment were used during the time of Jesus to make olive oils and also to mill flour.

We had lunch at the restaurant which served the traditional St. Peter's fish. This was the typical Tilapia fish which is a fresh water fish caught off the Sea of Galilee. It was deep fried to crispy and my children definitely enjoyed this lunch tremendously. Bitter coffee was served and we had to eat the dates first to sweeten our tongues before drinking the coffee.

Mt. Beatitudes

20/12/08
Up on the site of "Jesus Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5:1-12) we visited the Mt. of Beatitudes Church and celebrated mass outdoor. It was a moving experience as the cool air and awesome view heightened the senses to feel the soul within.

Colorful vegetaion being planted in the vicinity. There is also a garden near the guest house and at the time of our visit, I saw volunteers working on their planting in the garden.

Church of the Primacy of St. Peter

Saturday Dec. 20th "08
This church was built by the Franciscans to mark the site where Jesus revealed himself the third time to His disciples after his resurrection (John 21:1-14). This place is also called Mensa Christi or Table of the Lord. The church is built on black lava stones.

It was at this place that we could touch the water at the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Megan also collected some sea shells and pebbles.